Catapult and projectile therefor



C. E. TIEDEMAN. CATAPULT AND PROJECTILE THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, i921.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922;

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GA'I'APULT AN'D PRO-TEG'IILE THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

Application filed May 7, 1921. Serial No. 467,754.

' To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. TIEDEMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gloversville, in the county of Fulton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Catapults and Projectiles Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to catapults and the purpose of my invention is the prov1s1on of a catapult of extremely simple, durable and inexpensive construction, which is manually operable to impel a ring-like projectile in different velocities and insuch manner as to maintain the projectile in up-right posltion during flight. 0

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a projectile constructed to permit of its looping an attenuated target, and provided with a penetrating or adhesive striking surface to cause its adherence to any target having a roughened surface at a point at which it strikes the surface.

I will describe one form of catapult and one form of projectile, each embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanyin drawings:

Figure 1 is a view s owin in side elevation one form of catapult em odying my invention.

Figure 2 is a view showing in side elevation the catapult shown in Figure 1 with the projecting member thereof in acting position.

Figure 3 is a view showing in end elevation the catapult shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1- is a detailed perspective View of one form of projectile embodying my invention'.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the abutment member comprised in the catapult shown in the preceding views.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its present embodiment consists of a projectin member designated generally at P, and an a utment member A slidably re ceiving the projecting member and operatively connected thereto by means of an elastic actuating member E. The projecting member P comprises in the present instance a rod 15 at the forward end of which is formed a head 16 tapered in diameter toward its forward end and provided at itsrear end with an annular flange 16. Formed at therear end of the rod 15 is a tapered extension 17, the confronting end of which exceeds in diameter that of the rod 15 so as to provide a shoulder which is covered by a band 18 formed of felt or any other material WhlCh will etfectivel absorb the shock imparted to the extension when actuating the catapult. The rear end of the. extension 17 is provided with a knob or handle 19 hav- I ing formed therein .a slot 19.

The abutment member A comprises a body 20 of substantiall double conical form with the two cones arranged in opposed relation and separated by an annular channel 21. The body 20 is formed with an axial bore 22 which is of a diameter to slidably receive the rod 15. Communicating with the channel 21 at diametrically opposed points are radially extending slots 23.

The elastic actuating member E comprises in the present instance one or more rubber bands which in their applied position have one end inserted within the channel 21 and then passed through the slots 23, their opposite end being trained through the slot 19 of the handle 19. In this position of the I bandsthey are held under tension so that the projecting member is at all times urged through the projecting member A in the direction of the head 16.

In Figure 4, I have shown one form of projectile designated at J adapted to be used in conjunction with the catapult shown inthe preceding views. The projectile J in the present instance comprises an annulus or ring preferably formed of fabric and in such manner as to provide at its opposite edges penetrating portions 24. In practice, the projectile J is formed of linen or cotton which is impregnated with some stiffening substance so as to maintain the ring like form, with the threads of the fabric projectingfrom the opposite edges "of the annulus to provide the penetrating portions 24. The purpose of the penetrating portions 24 is to induce the projectile to adhere to the roughened surface of a target formed of flannel or similar cloth so that when it is projected against the target it will adhere to the same point thereon at which it strikes the target.

In the operation of the catapult, the abutment member is firmly gripped with one hand and the handle 19 with the other, the projectile being placed upon the head 16 in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2. By

such tension that when the handle is released the projecting member will be rapidly impelled forwardly until striking the abutment member A when such movement is suddenly checked. Under this action of the projectingmember, the projectile J is hurled forwardly from the head, 16 and in such manner that it is maintained in upright position, that is to say, the path of movement of the projectile is at right angles to the plane of the projectile. With the pro ectile movin in upright position, it will be clear that W on it is directed to a cloth target one penetrating portion 24 or the other will strike the surface of the target and thus cause its adherence thereto so that-the accuracy of the shot can be readily determined. Because of the ring-like form'of the projectile it can be. used in ringing stationary ob jects which is another way of testing the skill of the user.

Although I havev herein shown and described only one form of catapult and one rojectile, "each embodying my invention, it 15 to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

end of the rod, a shock absorbing element on said shoulder, an abutment member slid ably mounted on the rod, an elastic member associated with the projecting and abutment members to normally urge said rod so that said element engages the abutment member, and a projectile removably fitted on said head.

2. A catapult comprising, a projecting member including a rod, a flanged and tapered head formed on one end of the rod an extension formed on the opposite end of the rod, an abutment member slidably fitted on the rod and confined thereon by sa1d head and extension, said abutment member being formed with a channel and slots communicating with the .channel, an elastic member trained through portions of the channel and 5 said slots and engaging said extension for urging the projecting member so as to cause said extension to engage the abutment member, and a ring-like projectile mounted on said head.

3. In combination, a catapult comprising, a projecting member, an abutment member for supporting the projecting member for reciprocating movement, an elastic member for yieldingly maintaining the projecting member in one extreme position with respect to the abutment member, and a projectile removably carried by the projecting member, said projectile being of ring-like formation and having penetrating edges.

4. A catapult comprising a projecting member including a rod, a flanged and tapered head formed on one end of the rod, a

tapered extension formed on the opposite end of the rod and of a diameter to provide a shoulder at the junction of the rod and extension, a shock absorbing element positioned on the shoulder, a slotted handle formed on the other end of the extension, an abutment member slidably mounted on said rod and having a channel with slots formed therein, elastic bands trained through the slots and channel of the abutment member and through the slot of said handle, and a ring-like projectile removably fitted on said head.

5. A projectile for catapults comprising, an annulus having its opposite edges formed with portions which are adapted to penetrate the cloth target for inducing the projectile to adhere to the surface of the target.

6. A projectile for catapults comprising an annulus formed of fabric the threads of which are exposed at the opposite edges of the annulus to provide target penetrating portions.

7. A; projectile for catapults, comprising an annulus formed of fabric and impre ed with a stiflening substance, with the threads of the fabric exposed to the opposite edges of the annulus to provide penetrating portions.

CHARLES EDWARD TIEDEMAN. 

